Round 1 of the Victorian Netball League kicks off on Wednesday 6 March at the State Netball Centre. Watch history unfold as we welcome the Bendigo Strikers, Gippsland Stars and Western Warriors to the VNL landscape.
Due to a conflicting event at the State Netball Centre, 10 of the 11 matches this round will be available to watch via livestream across KommunityTV and Netball Victoria’s Facebook page.
Matches streamed via KommunityTV require a subscription, with a special offer available for a limited time only – pay $99 for 12 months. Access is free for current Herald Sun subscribers.
FIXTURE & BROADCAST
6.45pm – 23&U – City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express – KommunityTV (subscription required)
6.45pm – Champ – Hawks Netball vs MU Lightning – NV Facebook
7.00pm – Champ – Western Warriors vs Peninsula Waves (no livestream available)
7.00pm – Champ – Casey Demons vs Geelong Cougars – NV Facebook
7.00pm – 23&U – North East Blaze vs Gippsland Stars – NV Facebook
7.00pm – 23&U – Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Bendigo Strikers – NV Facebook
8.15pm – Champ – City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express – KommunityTV (subscription required)
8.15pm – 23&U – Hawks Netball vs MU Lightning – NV Facebook
8.30pm – 23&U – Western Warriors vs Peninsula Waves – NV Facebook
8.45pm – 23&U – Casey Demons vs Geelong Cougars – NV Facebook
8.45pm – Champ – Wilson Storage Southern Saints vs Bendigo Strikers – NV Facebook
*North East Blaze Championship BYE
ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
Championship
It’s a Grand Final rematch in Round 1, as back-to-back premiers City West Falcons look to get their 2024 season off to another winning start. Boroondara Express took last year’s decider down to the wire, so expect a fiery start to the season from both sides.
Round 1 also sees Hawks Netball come up against Melbourne University Lightning. With both teams showing promise in their practice matches and retaining many of their athletes from 2023, anticipate a hard-fought 60 minutes of action.
23&Under
The Gippsland Stars take to the court for the very first time in their match against North East Blaze, in what’s sure to be a fascinating first contest. With young guns and Victorian State team members Eliza Molino and Mia Lavis in their ranks, Blaze will be tough opponents for the Stars in their first outing.
Bendigo Strikers will start a new chapter in the Victorian Netball League with a match-up against Wilson Storage Southern Saints. State team members and rising talent take the court for both teams, making this matchup one not to miss.
ONE TO WATCH
Boroondara’s Casey Adamson put on an incredible performance against City West Falcons in their grand final clash last year. The versatile midcourter is coming off a year of electric form, including as part of the Collingwood Magpies’ Australian Netball Championship-winning side, and will be looking to make her mark on the competition once again in 2024.
